Drowning doesn’t look the way you would expect it to. On TV, there are flailing arms and shouts for help. In reality, a drowning person often doesn’t have any air left to cry out.
“People drown without a sound,” says Kristina Hamm, community relations and education supervisor for the Orange County Fire Authority.
It is not uncommon for a child to drown within view of a parent, who has no idea that the child is in distress.
Hamm says a child is likely in danger if she is having trouble making eye contact with you while in the water or can’t respond when you ask if she is OK.
Other signs of drowning include: bobbing with the head tilted back; the drowning person’s mouth sinking below then reappearing above the surface of the water; hair covering the eyes; a glassy stare. If your child appears to be quietly leaned back in the water, just watching the sky, ask if he is OK. If the child can answer you, that’s a good sign. If there is no response, he is most likely in real trouble.
Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children younger than 5. This year, there have been 46 water incidents in Orange County, 18 of them fatal. In 2014, there were 86 water incidents in Orange County, and 44 were fatal.
Follow these guidelines at the pool and the beach to ensure a safe summer.
Pool preparedness
• Create barriers such as covers, gates and motion detectors.
• Assign an adult to supervise the pool/spa area or any other body of water, especially during social gatherings.
• Communicate pool safety measures with a baby-sitter who is trained in CPR.
• Have rescue equipment by the pool such as a lifesaving ring and shepherd’s hook.
• Teach children to stay away from drains, and install drain safety covers.
Beach dangers
• Set up close to a lifeguard stand, and don’t swim when lifeguards are off duty, no matter your skill level.
• Avoid rip currents – long, narrow bands of water that pull you out to sea – which have been known to take down the strongest of swimmers. If there’s a rip current warning, stay out of the water. If you are caught in a rip current, don’t fight against it. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, then swim to safety. If you are not a strong swimmer, call for help before attempting to swim out of the rip current.
• When wading out, be sure to have your child do the “stingray shuffle.” This means shuffling your feet in the sand as you walk to scare off any rays resting on the bottom.
• Never take your eyes off your children. Do not depend on a lifeguard to ensure their safety.
Swim smart
• Always have a buddy. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s top water-safety tip is to never swim alone – especially in the ocean. Make sure your kids understand that an adult should be present when they are in the pool. As a parent, it’s a good idea to have another adult with you when you decide to take your child into the water.
• Enroll your child in swim lessons. Don’t rely on swimming aids. Floaties can provide a false sense of security.
The American Academy of Pediatrics supports swimming lessons for most children 4 and older. The organization’s website (aap.org) notes that classes may reduce the risk of drowning in younger children as well, but says that because children develop at different rates, not all children will be ready to swim at the same age. The academy also states that being an advanced swimmer doesn’t drown-proof a child, and that parents should still keep a close eye on their kids in the water, and learn CPR as well.
There are numerous swimming schools in Orange County. To select one in your area, consider getting recommendations from other parents, or check the United States Swim School Association (usswimschools .org) for a list of its members. You should also ask if the school’s teachers have swim lesson instructor certification and if they know CPR.
The YMCA is a great place to start looking for swim lessons. Prices are low, and scholarships are offered to families in need. Talk to your local YMCA for specific details on pricing.
The Blue Buoy Swim School in Tustin (bluebuoy .com) was one of the West Coast’s largest participants in the global 2015 World’s Largest Swimming Lesson. Sandpiper Swim School in Orange (sandpiperswimschool.com) and Waterworks Aquatics Irvine (water worksswim.com) also participated. Bluebuoy and Waterworks are both members of the USSSA.
Some local swim schools also offer classes geared to help kids with special needs.
Sandpiper, listed above, offers classes to anyone 6 months and older, with or without special needs.
SwimLabs OC (swim labs.com) works with children on the autism spectrum. The school received a water safety grant from Autism Speaks, a national advocacy group that aims to increase awareness of the disorder by supporting families and raising funds for research. This grant money can be used to provide financial assistance to special-needs families who want to help their kids become water-safe. The school also works with all swimmers of all ages.
Kids growing up in Orange County are often in contact with water. Make sure your child becomes a strong swimmer at an early age so your family can thoroughly enjoy the county’s many beaches and swimming pools.
Contact the writer: hskyler@ocregister.com
